News
PRRD Receives Provincial Funding – Community Emergency Preparedness Fund Disaster Risk Reduction
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) is pleased to share that they are the recipient of an $80,000 grant from the provincial Community Emergency Preparedness Fund under the Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation Stream. Back in February, 2023, the Regional Board endorsed the recommendation from the Emergency Executive Committee to apply for the funding, to allow the PRRD to contract an environmental engineering company to research, prepare and facilitate a geohazards workshop for staff and the Regional Board. The funding will be used to inform the Regional Board and their staff the importance of geohazard risk identification and risk reduction, to better position them to make informed decision on land use and emergency management planning in the region.
Local Government Climate Action Plan (LGCAP)
The LGCAP is a program to support local governments and Modern Treaty Nations by contributing predictable and stable funding. This funding supports local climate action to reduce emissions and prepare communities for impacts of a changing climate. Please find our survey information and attestation form submitted for the 2022 year.
Hot Tub to permanently close after repairs unsuccessful
Due to unsuccessful repair attempts, the hot tub at the North Peace Leisure Pool will be permanently closed. Over the past several months, staff and specialized contractors have diligently investigated and addressed multiple pipe breaks within the pool deck concrete. However, despite these efforts, it has become apparent that the hot tub cannot be restored to a functioning state.
The repair process faced several significant challenges, including the absence of accurate as-built drawings and the encasement of piping in concrete. Further, the specific piping materials used during construction have degraded due to the combination of heat and chemicals necessary for the safe operation of the hot tub.
“We understand the frustrations associated with the permanent closure of the hot tub, but further repairs are not feasible. Despite the challenges posed by an aging facility, our dedicated team will continue working diligently to ensure its usability until a suitable replacement is built,” acknowledged Trevor Bolin, Chair of the North Peace Leisure Pool Commission and the North Peace Leisure Facility Replacement Steering Committee. “The North Peace Leisure Facility Replacement Steering Committee remains committed to developing a plan for a new facility in the near future.”
The North Peace Leisure Facility Replacement Steering Committee continues to actively work on completing the feasibility study that identifies the best opportunities to replace the aging North Peace Leisure Pool.
The completed feasibility study will include recommendations on a wide variety of topics, including what features could be included in the building, estimated construction cost, proposed location, and the business case for a new facility, including some of the operating costs and revenue projections.
No final decisions on project scope or other major considerations have been made at this point. If a decision is made to move forward with a project, voters would have to approve any borrowing required to build the new facility through a referendum.
To learn more about the planning process for the project and the community input to date, visit: https://haveyoursay.prrd.bc.ca.
Media Inquiries:
communications@fortstjohn.ca | 250-794-3313
PRRD Withdraws Support for Treaty Land Sharing Network
The PRRD has notified Scion Strategies Ltd. that it has withdrawn its support for the Treaty Land Sharing Network proposal that was submitted to the PRRD for consideration. The PRRD Board made this decision following extensive concerns raised by residents in the region when the proposal was being discussed at the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 8, 2023.
That said, if individual landowners want to be part of this Network, they still have the option to do so. Scion Strategies Ltd.’s proposal was always based on voluntary involvement with no obligation to participate.
Scion Strategies proposed the Treaty Land Sharing Network initiative as part of work the company is doing with Indigenous communities. This was never a PRRD-led program, and when residents expressed clearly that they did not want it in this region, the Board made the decision to advise Scion Strategies its proposed Treaty Land Sharing Network would not be endorsed by the PRRD as a local government until landowners are in agreement.
The upcoming June 28, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting is still taking place even though the PRRD has withdrawn its support for the Network and the Board is no longer considering it. There was one delegation that did not have an opportunity to make their presentation, and the Board committed to scheduling a continuation of the meeting to provide them with the opportunity to share their input.
Online reservation system open for Blackfoot Regional Park
The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has partnered with Let’s Camp to offer online reservations for Blackfoot Regional Park. Let’s Camp is a user-friendly platform that allows visitors to view available sites, book and securely pay for the perfect camping spot up to 30 days in advance.
Blackfoot Regional Park is located approximately 75 kilometers east of Fort St. John and 51 kilometers north of Dawson Creek at 2098 Rolla Road. The parks boasts scenic views of the mighty Peace River, contains unique forest landscapes and diverse wildlife ecology. Local residents established the park with a crew of summer students in 1972 through a grant from the Province of British Columbia. The Regional District assumed maintenance ownership of the property by 1988.
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Feedback needed from Area B residents on potable water in Rose Prairie
The Peace River Regional District held a community meeting with Area B residents on March 30, 2023 to update the community about the Rose Prairie water station, and to discuss possible solutions for potable water sources in the area. The Rose Prairie water station has been closed since March 11, 2021, after explosive levels of gas were detected in the air within the treatment storage tank and the well casing. The planned February 22, 2021 opening was cancelled and further testing during the following week revealed continued levels of gas within the casing.
Planning process for North Peace Leisure Facility moving forward
Local area governments exploring options for new aquatics/recreation complex
Fort St. John – The planning process for a new aquatics and recreation facility to serve the North Peace is nearing a critical milestone. The Peace River Regional District (PRRD Areas B and C), the City of Fort St. John, and the District of Taylor are working together to explore options for the proposed North Peace Leisure Facility. A feasibility study that identifies the best opportunities to replace the aging North Peace Leisure Pool is nearing completion and is expected to be put before elected officials for consideration soon.
The completed feasibility study will include recommendations on a wide variety of issues including what features could be included in the building, estimated construction cost, proposed location, and the business case for a new facility including some of the operating costs and revenue projections.
Regional District Highlights, March 2023
Highlights from this issue:
- PRRD brings back free information sessions and workshops through the Grant Writer Services program
- Rose Prairie Community Meeting on March 30
PRRD offices closed on Monday, February 20
The PRRD offices in Dawson Creek and Fort St. John will be closed on Monday, February 20 for Family Day.
Regional District Highlights, February 2023
Highlights from this issue:
- Information on the Area C By-Election
- Parcel tax roll review panel set for February 23 @ 9:30am – public encouraged to review tax rolls and submit any correction requests by February 21
- Progress report on the new Chetwynd Public Library